Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is the lead economic development agency for the area. Funded by the County of Lambton, we have a focus on promoting the distinct advantages that Sarnia-Lambton proudly offers companies and residents. By coordinating community-based initiatives and working to maintain a commercially attractive environment, we foster new business creation, help ensure that established firms remain and grow here, and work to attract growing businesses to the area.
🕰️ Organization Hours:
Last updated on Apr 2nd, 2026
Recent Activity
Ipperwash Beach cleanup
Help protect Ipperwash Beach on Saturday, September 12 by joining a community cleanup meeting at 9:00 AM at the Centre Ipperwash Boat Launch. St. Clair Conservation supplies gloves and garbage bags, Lambton Shores will collect the debris, and volunteers receive a free ice cream from the Ipperwash Beach Club afterward.
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Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) support announcement
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative offers businesses in southern Ontario up to $3 million in non repayable funding, split into up to $2 million for liquidity assistance and up to $1 million for pivot projects. Delivered by FedDev Ontario, applications are open now and SLEP can help local businesses navigate eligibility and next steps via phone or email.
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2026 Starter Company Plus grant recipients
Eleven local entrepreneurs were named 2026 Starter Company Plus grant recipients through a program funded by the Province of Ontario and delivered by the Business Enterprise Centre of Sarnia-Lambton at SLEP. Each participant will complete four months of business training, meet regularly with an advisor, take part in peer mentoring, and receive up to $5,000 to support starting, purchasing, or expanding their business. Read the media release to meet the recipients and learn more about their ventures.
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Siren Section small business spotlight
Siren Section is a women and queer surf and skate club offering lake surfing and skateboarding lessons, workshops, board rentals, and community events across Sarnia, Lambton Shores, and London. Co founders Bo and Amber started the group to make these sports more welcoming and accessible, with programming and resources listed at their website.
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Health and Safety Excellence Program information session
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is hosting a Health and Safety Excellence Program information session on Wednesday, September 23 at 12:00 PM to explain how businesses can improve workplace safety, earn rebates on WSIB premiums, and receive an additional $1,000 after getting started. Register online through the Sarnia Lambton events page for full program details and enrollment instructions.
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Labour Day office closure notice
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership will be closed for Labour Day on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will reopen on Tuesday, September 8. The brief notice honors local workers and reminds residents to schedule appointments outside the long weekend.
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Business Planning for Entrepreneurial Success
Business Planning for Entrepreneurial Success is a free eight session series starting Tuesday, October 6, 2026 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park. Led by Chelsey Hart of Your Initiative Co., the program guides participants through building a usable business plan; apply by September 21, 2026 via the intake link to request a spot.
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Business Mastermind Series
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is accepting applications for its Business Mastermind Series, a six session peer cohort limited to 12 local business owners. The application deadline is Monday, September 7, 2026; learn more and apply at the program page linked by the partnership.
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Small Business Spotlight: K.N.K. Mechanical Group
K.N.K. Mechanical Group is a Sarnia based, 24/7 multi trade mechanical contractor serving clients across Ontario and Canada, employing union qualified millwrights, boilermakers, and pipefitters. The company offers planning, commissioning, grouting, precision alignment, construction, general contracting, maintenance, fabrication, and project management services; learn more at https://knkmg.com/.
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Small Business Spotlight: K.N.K. Mechanical Group
K.N.K. Mechanical Group, based in Sarnia, is a 24/7 multi trade mechanical contractor serving clients across Ontario and Canada. The union qualified team of millwrights, boilermakers and pipefitters offers planning, commissioning, precision alignment, fabrication, maintenance and project management; learn more at their website.
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September SLEP newsletter release
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership published the September SLEP newsletter on 2026-09-02 with updates on energy development, business growth, funding programs, available industrial properties, and workforce resources. Read the issue and subscribe at https://www.sarnialambton.on.ca/newsletters to get future editions delivered to your inbox.
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Summer Company
Summer Company in Sarnia Lambton offers students hands on business experience with mentorship, topic specific coaching, and up to $3,000 in funding. The program features resources and sessions from Beverlee Rasmussen, The Wealthy Barber, James Clear, and local experts covering workplace safety, finances, sales, and branding. Visit the Business Enterprise Centre of Sarnia-Lambton website to learn more and book a free consultation for the 2027 intake.
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Regional Tariff Response Initiative funding
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative, delivered by FedDev Ontario, offers funding to help Southern Ontario businesses improve productivity, diversify markets, and strengthen supply chains in response to tariff changes. Full program details and application guidance are on the FedDev Ontario site, and the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership can be reached at 519-332-1820 or contact@sarnialambton.on.ca for local assistance.
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River Lawn Care
River Lawn Care, owned by Carter Hayter, provides mowing, trimming, edging and blowing for homeowners in Corunna, Mooretown and Courtright. Carter is a 2026 Summer Company participant, receiving mentorship and startup support from a program funded by the Province of Ontario, while focusing on consistent results and flexible scheduling.
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Sarnia-Lambton business climate overview
Sarnia L ambton positions itself as a cost efficient, well connected region for energy, manufacturing, and bio based firms, with road rail and water links including proximity to the Blue Water Bridge and a deep water port. The Economic Partnership highlights affordable industrial land, competitive wages, partnerships with Lambton College, and more than 80 local firms offering engineering and maintenance support to speed project delivery.
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Growth readiness funding for OPG Lambton site planning
The Government of Ontario has provided $500,000 in growth readiness funding to support planning and consultation for potential new generation at OPG’s Lambton site in St. Clair Township. The planning will evaluate nuclear, small modular reactor, and natural gas to power pathways, with Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership and regional leaders involved to prepare for workforce and supply chain opportunities.
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Canvasels Doodle Booth and handmade products
Canvasels is a Sarnia-Lambton small business run by Selina Ton offering handmade tote bags, key chains, sticker sheets, accessories, and custom hand drawn caricatures. The Doodle Booth is a standout product, producing personalized Polaroid and photo-strip caricatures via custom orders and live appearances at markets. Canvasels is participating in the 2026 Summer Company program supported by the Province of Ontario.
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Tariff & Trade business supports and funding opportunities
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership maintains a Tariff and Trade Resources page with guidance on tariffs, CUSMA compliance, exporting, and funding programs. Southern Ontario businesses can explore the Regional Tariff Response Initiative through FedDev Ontario for support investing in productivity, lowering costs, strengthening supply chains, and entering new markets; contact the Partnership at 519-332-1820 or contact@sarnialambton.on.ca.
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Sarnia-Lambton economic development overview
Sarnia-Lambton offers production ready sites, proximity to the Blue Water Bridge and a deep water port, and market access to over 150 million consumers within a day's drive. The region pairs affordable land and competitive utilities with a cluster of energy, sustainable chemistry, and advanced manufacturing firms plus workforce partnerships from Lambton College to shorten timelines and lower project risk.
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Foreign direct investment services and regional advantages overview
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership offers confidential no cost foreign direct investment services to help companies enter Ontario and scale across North America. The region combines border access, highways, rail, pipelines, and a deepwater port with sector expertise in chemicals, low carbon hydrogen, advanced manufacturing, EV battery supply chains, and food processing. Visit the regional FDI page or email contact@sarnialambton.on.ca to explore site selection and government liaison support.
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Business Mastermind Series
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is accepting applications for its six session Business Mastermind Series, limited to 12 experienced business owners. Applications are open through September 7, 2026, learn more and apply at the program page to secure one of the limited seats.
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Program Coordinator
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership seeks a full-time in-office Program Coordinator in Sarnia to lead the Sarnia-Lambton Newcomer Hub, a multi-year federally funded initiative. The contract runs through 2029-03-30, and applications are due by 2026-09-07; learn more and apply via the organization link.
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Summer Company participant profile — RacquetHub
Chinmay Damani of RacquetHub is a Summer Company 2026 participant in Sarnia-Lambton offering racquet stringing for tennis and badminton plus private tennis lessons. The Province of Ontario funded program gives participants startup funding, mentorship, and business training while they gain hands on business experience. This profile showcases local entrepreneurship that combines coaching and equipment services for players in the community.
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Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program
The Rural Ontario Development Program is accepting applications from August 17 to October 1, 2026, offering cost share funding for projects that strengthen rural economic development. Register for free webinars on August 20 or September 1, 2026, and contact Economic Development Officers at (519) 332 1820 or contact@sarnialambton.on.ca for application advice.
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Sarnia-Lambton quality of life profile
Sarnia-Lambton touts lower housing costs, short commutes, and abundant waterfront access, with a median home price of $505,000 as of June 2025. The regional profile highlights Lambton College, Bluewater Health, and more than 140 km of waterfront for families and professionals seeking affordability and outdoor lifestyle close to urban centres.
